Method and apparatus for downhole detection of CO2 and H2S using resonators coated with CO2 and H2S sorbents

ABSTRACT

A formation fluid sample is exposed to a rigidly-supported semi-permeable membrane such as silicone rubber to permit diffusion of gases and vapors from the formation fluid into a vacuum chamber, while at the same time, blocking the passage of any liquids. The membrane-transmitted gas is analyzed in the vacuum chamber by a sorbent-coated resonator. The sorbent absorbs gas and changes the resonant frequency of the resonator to indicate the presence of a gas. An ion pump or sorbent is associated with the evacuated chamber to maintain the vacuum. The ion pump or sorbent removes gases and vapors from the chamber that diffuse into the chamber from the reservoir sample that is on the opposite side of the semi-permeable membrane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/917,173 filed Aug. 12, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,546.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to downhole reservoir characterization and in particular to a method and apparatus for real time identification of CO2 and H2S gases diffused out of a formation fluid sample. Formation fluid samples are obtained and gases are allowed to diffuse from these fluid samples through a silicone rubber layer backed by a sintered metal filter and perforated backing plate acting as semi-permeable membrane into an evacuated chamber. The gases are analyzed in the evacuated chamber by a Resonator coated with a CO2 or H2S sorbent and a processor, which identifies gases such as CO2 and H2S and other gases or vapors extracted from a downhole reservoir fluid or sample.

2. Summary of the Related Art

To obtain hydrocarbons such as oil and gas, boreholes are drilled into the earth by rotating a drill bit attached at to the end of a drill string. Modern directional drilling systems generally employ a drill string having a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and a drill bit at an end thereof that is rotated by a drill motor (mud motor) and/or by rotating the drill string. A number of downhole devices placed in close proximity to the drill bit measure certain downhole operating parameters associated with the drill string. Such devices typically include sensors for measuring downhole temperature and pressure, azimuth and inclination measuring devices and a resistivity-measuring device to determine the presence of hydrocarbons and water. Additional downhole instruments, known as logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools, are frequently attached to the drill string to determine the formation geology and formation fluid conditions during the drilling operations.

Commercial development of hydrocarbon fields requires significant amounts of capital. Before field development begins, operators desire to have as much data as possible regarding the nature of the hydrocarbon formation, in order to evaluate the reservoir for commercial viability. Despite the advances in data acquisition during drilling using the MWD systems and wire line analysis applications, it is often desirable to conduct further testing of the hydrocarbon reservoirs in order to obtain additional data. Therefore, after the well has been drilled, the hydrocarbon zones are often tested with other test equipment such as wire line tools, which are used to further analyze and monitor the formation.

One type of post-drilling test involves producing fluid from the reservoir and collecting such fluid samples downhole in tanks for transport to surface laboratories where Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) studies and fluid properties such as density, viscosity and composition are measured. Also, one can measure the downhole fluid pressure at several depths and, from this pressure gradient, calculate the fluid's density.

Fluid samples extracted downhole are typically analyzed weeks to months later in a surface laboratory to identify and quantify gases present in the fluid. It is time consuming to retrieve fluid samples downhole and send them to a surface lab for analysis of gas content. Moreover, surface analysis requires removal of the fluid sample and the tool from the borehole for testing the sample before additional exploration and/or production activities occur. Thus, there is a need for a real-time downhole method and apparatus for detection, distinction and quantification of gases in the formation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for real-time downhole detection, distinction and quantification of gases such as CO2 and H2S and other gases and vapors present in a formation fluid sample. The present invention exposes downhole high-temperature and high-pressure formation fluids to a silicone rubber filter backed by a sintered metal filter backed by a perforated metal plate, forming semi-permeable membrane, which blocks liquids but allows passage of certain gases and vapors. This membrane is mechanically supported by a rigid but porous and permeable structure such as a perforated metal plate. The perforated metal plate is capable of withstanding the pressure difference between vacuum and downhole pressures. The semi-permeable membrane is made of a material such as silicone rubber, which permits the diffusion of gases and certain vapors from the formation fluid sample, through the membrane and into a vacuum chamber adjacent the semi-permeable membrane.

The vacuum chamber forms a gas analysis chamber containing a resonator coated with a CO2 or H2S sorbent. A formation fluid sample is captured in a downhole tool and filtered by a semi-permeable membrane such as silicone rubber to permit diffusion of gases from the formation fluid into a vacuum chamber. The gases diffuse out of the formation fluid and analyzed by sorbent coated resonator situated in the evacuated portion of a gas analysis chamber.

An ion pump is associated with the evacuated gas analysis chamber to maintain a vacuum in the chamber. The ion pump removes gases, which have diffused from the formation fluid sample into the evacuated chamber on the opposite side of the semi-permeable membrane filter. Alternatively, in place of an ion pump, activated charcoal or some other sorbent could be used to prevent the gases that have diffused into the vacuum from lingering there too long and interfering with the measurement of subsequent gases that have evolved from the next sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, will be best understood from the attached drawings, taken along with the following description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as deployed in a borehole from a wire line;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as deployed in a borehole from a drill string;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the components comprising the current example of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the semi-permeable membrane, sintered metal filter and metal plate with small hole having scoring of fact of plate between the holes;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of functions performed in an example of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a table showing some examples of gas diffusion rates through a suitable semi-permeable membrane for use with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a filter and capillary tube input.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for real-time downhole detection, classification and quantification of gases trapped in a representative formation fluid sample. Gases such as H2S and CO2 other gases and vapors present in a formation fluid sample are quantified by the present invention. The present invention exposes downhole high-temperature high-pressure formation fluid to a semi-permeable membrane such as silicone rubber to permit diffusion of gases from the formation fluid sample into a vacuum chamber containing a sorbent coated resonator.

The present invention analyzes high-temperature, high-pressure reservoir fluids by extracting and submitting a gaseous fraction of a formation fluid or fluid sample to a sorbent coated resonator. A formation fluid sample is acquired or captured and filtered through a semi-permeable membrane, such as silicone rubber to permit diffusion of gases from the formation fluid sample past the filter into a gas analysis chamber. In the present example of the invention the gas analysis chamber is evacuated to facilitate diffusion of gases from the formation or wellbore fluid into an evacuated gas analysis chamber. The diffused gas is analyzed by a sorbent coated resonator situated in the evacuated gas analysis chamber opposite the formation fluid chamber on the other side of the semi-permeable membrane. In the present example of the invention, an ion pump is associated with the evacuated gas analysis chamber to help establish and to maintain a vacuum in the chamber and to facilitate diffusion of gases from the fluid to the gas analysis chamber. The ion pump removes gases from the evacuated chamber, which have diffused into the evacuated chamber from the formation fluid sample located on the opposite side of the semi-permeable membrane filter.

The first function is to evacuate a vacuum chamber containing a resonator and processor to analyze gases. The vacuum chamber also is provided with an ion pump to maintain the vacuum. A semi-permeable membrane (such as silicone rubber) is placed at the inlet to the vacuum chamber to allow gases to diffuse into the vacuum chamber, while at the same time preventing liquids from entering the evacuated chamber.

Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the current invention deployed from a wire line 102 in a borehole 104 drilled in a formation 100. An extensible probe 101 extracts fluid from the formation 100. The extracted formation fluid flow through flow line 105 where the gas analysis chamber 300 of the present invention determines the gas content of the formation fluid sample. Stabilizers 103 hold the tool 50 and extensible probe 101 in place during extraction of a formation fluid sample. The results of the gas analysis performed by a resonator 317 in gas analysis chamber 300 and processor 102, can be acted on by processor 102 or the analysis results can be sent to the surface 51 to acted on by the surface processor and control unit 1000. A well bore fluid can also be analyzed by extracting fluid from the well bore instead of the formation.

Turning now to FIG. 2, another example of the current invention is shown deployed from a drill string 201. Straddle packers 203 hold the tool 50 in place during the entry of fluid through flow path 105 to the gas analysis chamber 300 of the present invention. The fluid can come from the annulus 105 between the tool 50 and the well bore 104 or from the formation 100. Fluid can be routed to the sample tank 111 or back to the well bore annulus 105 as desired based on the results of the density determination performed in the gas analysis chamber 300 of the present invention. The results of the gas analysis chamber are acted on by the processor 102, or the results can be sent to the surface 51 to acted on by surface processor and control 1000. A well bore fluid can also be analyzed by extracting fluid from the well bore instead of the formation.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a more detailed schematic of the gas analysis chamber 300 of the present invention is shown. An sorbent coated resonator 317, ion pump 319, semi-permeable membrane 309, fluid containment chamber 307 and processor 315 are shown in schematic form in FIG. 3. A sorption-cooling unit 321 is provided to maintain processor and resonator control electronics within their operating and/or survival temperature range. The formation fluid containment chamber 307 is separated from the evacuated gas analysis chamber 311 by the semi-permeable membrane 309. Thus, the formation fluid containment chamber 307 is positioned on one side of the semi-permeable membrane 309 and an evacuated gas analysis chamber 311 on the other side of the semi-permeable membrane 309. The gases trapped in the captured formation fluid sample diffuse across the semi-permeable membrane into the evacuated gas analysis chamber for analysis. Activated charcoal or other gas sorbent 320 is placed in the gas analysis chamber to absorb gases to prevent them from lingering in the gas analysis chamber too long.

Formation fluid is extracted from the formation 100 or the well bore when the probe is not in contact with the well bore wall and enters into the fluid containment chamber 307 via flow line 107 and valve 301. Gases diffuse from the formation fluid or well bore fluid on the fluid side of the semi-permeable membrane, through the semi-permeable membrane and into the evacuated chamber 311. The gas analysis module equipment, resonator 317 and processor/control electronics 315 are located in the evacuated gas analysis chamber 311. The gas is exposed to and analyzed by the resonator 317 and processor 102. The processor 102 and resonator electronics control and conduct the analysis. The processor 102 reports the analytical results to the surface via the wire line or other means of downhole communication. The processor 102 can act on the analysis results without reporting the results to the surface. FIG. 4 illustrates the semi-permeable membrane 309, sintered metal filter 313 and metal plate 314 with small hole having scoring of fact of plate between the holes.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an example illustrating some of the functions performed by the present invention are illustrated. As shown in block 401, the present invention captures a formation fluid sample from the formation. The formation fluid enters the tool 50 via a flow line in fluid communication with the formation. In block 403, the gas analysis chamber is evacuated. The evacuation of the gas analysis chamber enables gases trapped in the formation fluid sample to diffuse from the fluid as gas into the evacuated chamber through the semi-permeable membrane. In block 405 the semi-permeable membrane between the fluid and the evacuated chamber allows gases from the fluid to diffuse through the semi-permeable membrane into an evacuated gas analysis chamber. In block 407, the resonator and processor of the present invention monitors the gases to detect, identify and quantify the gases and distinguish between them. In block 409, the ion pump removes diffused gases from the evacuated side of the chamber to maintain the vacuum.

Sensors for CO2 and H2S are usually meant to operate in air or in vacuum. It is difficult to detect these gases while they are dissolved in crude oil. Thus a silicone rubber layer or other polymeric separation membrane, followed by a sintered stainless steel filter and a steel plant with a few holes in it covering a vacuum chamber are provided to separate gas and fluid. Thus, the gases can diffuse out of the crude oil and into a vacuum chamber containing the resonator. The chamber also contains activated charcoal 320 or other sorbent to prevent the gases from lingering too long in the chamber. When mass from diffused gas is deposited on the resonator, such as a tuning fork as used in the present example of the invention, the resonate frequency for the resonator is lowered. Thus, by coating a resonator with a material that selectively reacts with a particular gas, the presence of the particular gas can be detected by monitoring the resonate frequency of the resonator. In one embodiment the resonator is coated with silver, which reacts with H2S to produce black silver sulfide or tarnish and makes the resonator heavier, thus lowering it resonant frequency. In this case, a drop in the silver-coated resonator resonant frequency would indicate the presence of H2S. In another embodiment, the resonator is coated with copper or zinc or other H2S reactive metal. In another embodiment, a resonator coated with a sodium oxide coating to produce Na2CO3 and make the resonator heavier. In this case a reduction in the resonator resonant frequency would indicate the presence of H2S. Tetramethlyammonium fluoride tetrhydrate (TMAF) is useful for the detection of CO2 and H2S.

Suitable semi-permeable membranes, activated charcoal sorbents and ion pumps are commercially available suitable for use with the present invention are discussed herein. Furthermore, membranes can be specially designed to be selective to the transmission of one gas instead of transmitting many gases as silicone membranes do. The invention enables diffusion and separation of CO2 and H2S form crude oil at high pressure and temperature and letting this gas diffuse through a semi-permeable membrane filter. In the high pressures of the downhole environment, membranes must be supported, thus, the present invention provides a sintered stainless steel filter analogous to sandstone with the sand particles replaced with steel particles. The sintered metal filter is porous and permeable. The sintered metal filter is backed by a perforated steel plate for rigid stability against the pressure of the fluid from which gases diffuse.

Separation membrane technology is discussed by Sandra Young of the School of Polymers at The University of Southern Mississippi, (see, e.g., http://www.psrc.usm.edu/mauritz/diffuse.html), which states:

-   -   Aromatic polyimides that contain —C(CF3)2— groups tend to have         higher preference for CO2 relative to CH4. Introduction of         —C(CF3)2— groups is believed to increase chain stiffness which         reduces intrasegmental mobility, and reduce and limit the degree         of chain packing by increasing the free volume, serving as         molecular spacers and chain stiffeners in the polymer         (Stern, S. A. J. Membrane Sci., 1994, 94, 1-65 and Kim, T. H.;         Koros, W. J.; Husk, G. R.; O'Brien, K. C. J. Membrane Sci.,         1988, 37, 45-62).     -   Polysulfones have been used for years as perm-selective         membranes, starting in 1977 when Monsanto utilized asymmetric         hollow fiber coated with a thin layer of silicone rubber for H2         separations. Asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes are used for         the removal of CO2 and H2S from natural gas. CO2 and H2S have         high solubility in cellulose acetate, which induces         pseudo-plasticization, causing the polymer to swell with         disruption of the polymer matrix, which increases the mobility         of the polymer chains. In the area of rubbery polymers, the only         systems currently under investigation are the         poly(organosiloxanes). Poly(organosiloxanes) have been studied         in detail because of the vast utility of polydimethylsiloxane         (PDMS) as a pre-formed membrane that can then be used as a         template for IPN formation in gas or liquid separation         processes. PDMS possesses one of the greatest permeability         coefficients of any polymer, due to its large free volume, and         low selectivity. Through copolymerization, properties have the         potential to be tailored to suit specific separation needs.         Porosity control in materials used for separation processes is         essential due to the potential variability of gases or liquids         through the membrane. Sol-gel polymerizations can be manipulated         to adjust the shrinkage of a network for the development of         controlled porosity inorganic materials.

John J. Pellegrino of National Institute of Standards and Technology states: http://membranes.nist.gov/publication_abstracts/Pell_Ko_Nass_Eine.html

-   -   CO2 and H2S can be selectively separated from each other and         from non-polar gases, such as H2, CO and CH4 using chemically         reactive carriers immobilized in a membrane phase. Ion-exchange         membranes made from polyperfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) have been         modified to form a gel for use as the support for the solvent         and carrier. The membrane contains hydrophilic regions into         which a solvent, containing the desired chemical complexing         agent, may be imbibed. In experiments performed at ambient         conditions selectivities for CO2 versus H2 are 20 to 30 with CO2         permeabilities of 1000-2000 barrer. Higher selectivities and H2S         permeabilities are obtained for the H2S—H2 separation. Our         studies include characterization of this membrane with a variety         of amine carriers and polar solvents at ambient temperatures and         pressure. This paper presents a summary of the acid gas         permeation rates and selectivities for the acid gases versus H2         and CO. Preliminary economic evaluations indicate that composite         membranes with PFSA coated films 5 to 1 μm thick, would have         capital costs lower than standard amine-absorber technology.

FIG. 6 is a tabular listing and specification for some gases through a representative semi-permeable membrane, which is suitable for use with the present invention. The specifications for some small commercially available resonators and small ion pumps are discussed below. FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a filter 316 and capillary tube 318 input to evacuated gas analysis chamber 311. There is typically a tradeoff between the speed of response to gases in a fluid and the thickness of the semi-permeable membrane. FIG. 8 shows METS probe.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of the present invention is implemented as a set computer executable of instructions on a computer readable medium, comprising ROM, RAM, CD ROM, Flash or any other computer readable medium, now known or unknown that when executed cause a computer to implement the method of the present invention.

While the foregoing disclosure is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all variations within the scope of the appended claims be embraced by the foregoing disclosure. Examples of the more important features of the invention have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. 

1. A method for monitoring a presence of a particular gas in a fluid downhole, comprising: (a) diffusing the particular gas from the fluid downhole into a gas analysis chamber by reducing a pressure in the gas analysis chamber; (b) exposing the particular gas to a resonator that adsorbs the particular gas; and (c) estimating the presence of the particular gas in the fluid downhole based on a detected change in a resonant frequency of the resonator after the resonator is exposed to the particular gas.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: diffusing the particular gas through one of: (i) a semi-permeable membrane; (ii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a sintered metal; (iii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a perforated backing plate; (iv) a gas selectable membrane, and (v) a membrane that only allows only one or more gases to diffuse from the fluid downhole.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular gas is one of (i) CO2, and (ii) H2S.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the estimating is performed at one of (i) downhole, and (ii) at a surface location.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising extracting the fluid downhole from a formation.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removing at least one gas from the gas analysis chamber.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein removing is performed by: pumping the at least one gas from the gas analysis chamber.
 8. An apparatus for monitoring a presence of a particular gas in a fluid downhole, comprising: (a) membrane diffusing the particular gas from the fluid downhole into a gas analysis chamber upon a reduction of a pressure in the gas analysis chamber; (b) a resonator within the gas analysis chamber; and (c) a processor estimating the presence of the particular gas in the fluid downhole based on a detected change in a resonant frequency of the resonator after the resonator is exposed to the particular gas.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the membrane is one of: (i) a semi-permeable membrane; (ii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a sintered metal; (iii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a perforated backing plate; (iv) a gas selectable membrane, and (v) a membrane that only allows only one or more gases to diffuse from the fluid downhole.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the resonator further comprises: a sorbent that adsorbs the particular gas, wherein the processor monitors the resonant frequency of the resonator to detect the presence of the particular gas in the fluid downhole.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the resonator further comprises a sorbent coating the resonator to detect the presence of one of: (i) CO2, and (ii) H2S.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a charcoal in the gas analysis chamber for adsorbing at least one gas from the gas analysis chamber to prevent the at least one gas from lingering in the gas analysis chamber.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an ion pump for pumping at least one gas from the gas analysis chamber to prevent the at least one gas from lingering in the gas analysis chamber.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the processor is positioned at one of (i) downhole, and (ii) at a surface location.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a probe extracting the fluid downhole from a formation.
 16. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a straddle packer that causes a fluid from a wellbore annulus to flow to the gas analysis chamber.
 17. A system for monitoring a presence of a gas in a fluid downhole, comprising: (a) a downhole tool; (b) a membrane for diffusing the gas from the fluid downhole into a gas analysis chamber in the downhole tool when a pressure is reduced in the gas analysis chamber; (c) a resonator for detecting the presence of the gas in the fluid downhole; and (d) a processor estimating the presence of the gas in the fluid downhole based on a detected change in a resonant frequency of the resonator after the resonator is exposed to the particular gas.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the membrane is one of: (i) a semi-permeable membrane; (ii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a sintered metal; (iii) a semi-permeable membrane backed with a perforated backing plate; (iv) a gas selectable membrane, and (v) a membrane that only allows only one or more gases to diffuse from the fluid downhole.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the downhole tool is conveyed into a wellbore by one of (i) wireline, and (ii) a drill string.
 20. The system of claim 17 further comprising a probe extracting the fluid downhole from a formation.
 21. The system of claim 17 further comprising a straddle packer that causes a fluid from a wellbore annulus to flow to the gas analysis chamber. 